Revelation: To the Church in Thyatira | April 19, 2023

Revelation 1:19-20 ESV

¹⁹ Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. ²⁰ As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. 

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Today we are looking at Thyatira, one of the seven churches addressed in Revelation 2:18-29. What do we know about Thyatira?

Thyatira was an ancient Greek city in Asia Minor, now modern-day Turkey, and it was the smallest of the seven cities mentioned in Revelation. They were known for industries in bronze and wool, makers and sellers of dyed cloth. Lydia, the seller of purple cloth and a worshiper of God from Acts 16:13-15 was from here.

Thyatira was polytheistic with shrines to Apollo, Artemis, Helios, Hadrian, and Tyrimnos. Emperors were considered deities and saviors, even being called sons of a god.  

Read the vision Jesus gave John for Thyatira. Notice the language used and the connections to what we learned above about this city.

Revelation 2:18-19 ESV

¹⁸ “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. ¹⁹ “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 

Why do you suppose Jesus calls himself the Son of God in this letter and not in any other letters to the churches in Revelation?

How is this vision similar to what Daniel saw in his vision?

Daniel 10:5-6 ESV

⁵ I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. ⁶ His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.

What four deeds does Jesus commend them for in Rev. 2:19? Could the same be said for you and me? Could it be said of Southeast if we were to receive a letter? Of the four works, which do you see as one you are strong in, and in which one do you need some improvement? How about our church as a whole?